Screen Skills Ireland has announced the completion of a structured work-based learning programme that took place on the feature film production ‘Green Knight’, in collaboration with A24 and Wild Atlantic Pictures.

The programme started on Monday the 11th of March and, taking place over six weeks of the production shoot, provided core skills development for 7 new entrants. This scheme is one of several recent structured work-based learning initiatives run by Screen Skills Ireland, aiming to respond to the Irish film industry’s need for greater numbers of skilled crew in the sector.

The programme offered essential work-based learning in key areas of the production, including Accounts, AD Department, Script Supervision, Locations, Set Decoration, Camera and VFX. Each new entrant was supervised throughout by their Head of Department and provided key learning outcomes, clear progression on tasks on a weekly basis, and the opportunity to have a mid-placement review with Screen Skills Ireland.

“The Green Knight New Entrant Work Based Programme represents a cutting-edge opportunity for new entrants to learn from top industry experts on the job while gaining hands-on skills. The programme’s structure is invaluable to ensure consistent and high-quality skills development across the sector, a key factor in ensuring industry growth and sustainability. As a result, all 7 new entrants became indispensable to the production and were taken on by the production after the programme was completed. These new entrants will now be in a position to apply for further positions on a broad range of productions, equipped with a clear vision of the pathways to progression within their preferred department.”

In response to the programme, Edmund Sampson, Line Producer, said:

“Screen Skills Ireland has developed a very positive programme linking the future talent of Film and Television into our industry. Green Knight Productions DAC has been proud to work in conjunction with Screen Skills in developing its success, seeing the energy and enthusiasm new entrants bring and witnessing them learn new skills and find their talents under the mentorship of our Heads of Departments.”

The Hollywood feature film is a retelling of the 14thCentury tale, ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ and is financed by US-based companies A24 and Bron Studios. American writer and director, David Lowery (‘The Old Man & the Gun’), is helming the project and will also produce alongside Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston through their Sailor Bear production shingle.